Christina paused suddenly in surprise, looking back at him. “I thought we were to stroll to the bookshop?”
“You need not be afraid,” he replied, looking a little affronted. “I will not kidnap you or do anything untoward. This, however, cannot be spoken aloud, for fear that someone will overhear us. My friend, Lord Hudson, is within in order to confirm what it is I am to tell you.”
Christina took a deep breath, set her shoulders, and made straight for the carriage, attempting to push her worry away. She nodded to her maid to wait atop for her. As Christina approached, she saw a gentleman lean out of the carriage door, a smile on his open, friendly face.
“And this must be Lady Christina,” he exclaimed, stepping out of the carriage altogether. “It is my very great honor to meet you, my dear. Do come inside. Viscount Hudson at your service.”
To her surprise, Christina liked the man at once. He was everything Lord Ravenhall was not. He was cleanly shaven with silky blond hair, wore a wide, welcoming smile, and looked at her with bright green eyes that made her feel truly at home with him. Without hesitation, she accepted his hand, smiled in return, and climbed inside.
9
Daniel couldn’t help but feel relieved that Lady Christina had accepted his offer to enter the carriage, glad that Hudson had been so willing to aid him in this task. While the entire garden ordeal had been a complete and utter disaster, he had been glad she now allowed him the opportunity to explain himself.
Heat crept up his neck as he reflected on what he’d done thus far, fully aware of just how badly he’d lost his head when he’d seen Lord Northcliffe last evening. He could explain the situation, but he had still made the choice to act as he did. Daniel rapped on the roof of the carriage to tell his driver to move.
“Lady Christina,” he began, sitting down next to Lord Hudson, leaning forward with his elbows on his knees. “The man you saw me with last night, the man I…”
“Attacked,” Lady Christina said, crisply, her gray eyes fixed on his.
He cleared his throat, ignoring Hudson’s grin at her forwardness.
“Yes, the one I attacked. His name is Lord Northcliffe, and he killed the woman I loved.”
Lady Christina’s face went white as he spoke, her hands clasping the sides of the seat.
“I was with Lord Ravenhall at the time, Lady Christina, and saw his reaction to Miss Churston’s death,” Hudson added, quietly. “I saw everything, except for the man who did it.”
“Lord Northcliffe,” Daniel continued, his voice growing hoarse as the memories assailed him once more. “He was Laura’s former gentleman — they had been courting for some time but she, I believe, broke off the attachment. He was enraged and continued to try and persuade her to allow their engagement to proceed, but she had met me.” He swallowed hard, his head dropping so that he did not have to look into Lady Christina’s wide eyes.
“Lord Northcliffe knew I intended to propose, for the news had gone all around White’s by then. Laura came to my townhouse with her maid so that I might accompany her to a ball, where we would make the official announcement. However, I had been called away by an urgent message that stated my mother was desperately ill so I told my butler to set Laura in the drawing room until I returned — or until Lord Hudson arrived as he was to accompany us for propriety’s sake.”
Closing his eyes, Daniel dragged in a shaking breath, rubbing his temples as though he could push away the memories. “When I realized that my mother was in full health and that the note had only been to take me away from my home, I returned there as quickly as I could, only to discover Laura lying in the threshold, blood pooling around her head.” At Lady Christina’s gasp, he glanced up to see her hands at her mouth. Hudson looked at him with some consternation, but Daniel needed her to understand the truth of what had happened, why he felt so strongly, and why he had done what he had. He shook his head, determined to get the last few words out. “She had been bludgeoned. She died.”
There came a few moments of complete silence. Daniel forced himself to remain calm, to focus on his breathing so that his memories could not take hold. Most likely he would have nightmares this evening, but for now, he simply needed to keep his anger at bay.
“The butler was certain it was Lord Northcliffe,” Hudson said as Daniel sat up straighter, forcing himself to look at Lady Christina. “But the authorities could not arrest a gentleman — a viscount at that — on what one dazed butler said, even though it makes sense to believe it was him.”
“My goodness,” Lady Christina whispered, her hands dropping to her lap. “I am so sorry, Lord Ravenhall. I had no idea.”
“No,” Daniel replied heavily. “How could you?”
She tilted her head and studied him then, and Daniel was struck, just as he had been last evening, by just how intense her eyes were. They were an unusual shade of gray with just a touch of blue behind them, but there was compassion woven into her gaze. While he knew none would ever describe her as a great beauty, there was a gentle grace about her that drew him in.
Not that he could ever feel anything more than friendship with a woman, not after Laura.
“And can I ask why you are interested in marrying me, Lord Ravenhall?” Lady Christina asked, softly. “It appears as though you are still caught up in a swirl of emotions over your former love and Lord Northcliffe.”
Daniel swallowed the ache in his throat and tried his best to explain, choosing not to keep anything back from her. He had entirely forgotten about Hudson’s presence and instead spoke directly to her.
“Because I have no choice. My father, the duke, is unaware as to how I spend my time. As far as he is concerned, I have become a bit of a social recluse, and I suppose that is true.” He spread his hands, shrugging. “I want justice, Lady Christina. I want justice for Laura and for those who cannot speak for themselves. Therefore, I allow Lord Hudson and others to go about London and help those in need. On occasion, I come to town to … involve myself when and where I must, but for the most part, I remain at home, ensuring that my estate and my tenants are all well looked after.”
Lady Christina frowned, and for a moment, Daniel wondered if she was about to exclaim over just how ungentlemanly it was to involve oneself with those in the lower classes, but to his surprise, she did not.
“And might I ask why this requires you to be married?” she asked, slowly. “Can you not continue with this work without a wife?”
He shook his head. “My father still has control over my fortune and my accounts. If I do not do as he orders, then the money will disappear entirely until I follow through on his wishes. He wants an heir to the family line.”
Watching Lady Christina, he noted the way her cheeks reddened, her eyes darting away from him, and for a moment, Daniel caught himself wondering what it would be like to have her in his bed. A prickle of desire climbed through his limbs. He remembered her mouth under his, the passion he had felt hiding within her. What would it be like to explore that further? He pushed away the fleeting thoughts, focusing instead on the practicalities of the situation they found themselves in.
“Then it appears we are in much the same position,” Lady Christina replied, eventually, her lips curving down as she continued to look away from him. “My father insists I marry my brute of a cousin if I turn away from our engagement, Lord Ravenhall. I had no intention of so easily accepting our match, but it is beginning to appear I have less of a choice than I thought.”
Anger pooled in his stomach anew, but on her behalf this time. He felt for her in this, as he knew what it was like to have a father force one into such a situation. He looked at her closely, now, studying her. Her mouth was set in a firm line and while she didn’t seem particularly pleased at the prospect of marrying him, she certainly seemed more amenable to it today than she had the night before.
He sighed. “I cannot promise you a life of gaiety, Lady Christina. I fully intend to return to my country estate, once I have brought about what I have planned
for Lord Northcliffe.”
“And what is that?” Lady Christina asked, her voice void of emotion. “You wish to do to him what he did to your first love?”
There was no censure in her voice, no horror in her eyes or shudder of her lips as she spoke. Daniel looked at her steadily and, instead, saw something like sympathy, or compassion, emerging into her expression.
“I suppose that it would be a lie not to admit that,” he said, quietly. “Yes, I do wish for his demise. How that will come about, I am unsure. I do not wish to bring scandal to my family, but Lord Northcliffe must be made to pay for what he did.”
Lady Christina nodded slowly, and Daniel wanted to reach out and brush back the silky strands of hair that had come loose and floated around her shoulders.
“I understand your need for revenge, Lord Ravenhall, but I may take issue with the way in which you propose to go about it,” she said, and he sighed. She said she understood, but she couldn’t, not truly. “You say you know Lord Northcliffe to be the culprit, but in truth, it seems you do not with absolute certainty, and if you are fighting for justice, then you must know that you cannot take the life of a man not proven guilty.”
She fixed him with her gaze and Hudson abruptly sat up straighter in self-satisfaction, as it seemed he and Lady Christina were of like minds on the matter.
“I must ask you, before you do anything you will regret, to assure yourself that you are correct in your assumptions and,” her voice became much softer now, “please, at least consider approaching this in another way.”
He looked at her, their gazes meeting, and he gave a short, jerky nod, not wanting to agree but knowing that if this was the only thing she asked of him, he couldn’t refuse her. She surprised him when she broke their gaze and turned to his friend. “Lord Hudson,” she said. “Might you give me a few minutes with Lord Ravenhall?”
Hudson seemed momentarily surprised, but gifted her with one of his wide, charming smiles, and Lady Christina returned it with a small smile of her own. Daniel felt the taste of bitterness in his mouth, and he wondered at his reaction. He didn’t care what Christina thought of other men. She was simply a means to an end.
Daniel waited as his friend left the carriage and then turned toward Lady Christina. What was it she wished to say? Looking back at her, he saw her turn her smile toward him as Lord Hudson closed the door and felt his heart jump within him until he saw the corners of her mouth straighten once more.
No. He could not feel this. He could not allow himself to feel anything for the lady opposite him. It would be a betrayal of Laura, a forgetting of all that they’d shared. And it would be opening himself up to the possibility of feeling that pain once more, a pain that he refused to ever entertain again. No, no matter what happened, he would remain aloof and distant, never seeking to grow closer to her, pushing her away in turn. His heart would never be given to another again.
“Lord Ravenhall, may I speak plainly?” Lady Christina asked, sitting back in her seat and pinning him with her direct gaze. “There has been so much happening between us in the last few hours that I am struggling to think clearly, and perhaps it would be better to share what is on my mind.”
Daniel nodded, a little taken aback at her frankness. This was nothing like Laura, who had been quiet and genteel, never truly giving voice to her thoughts unless he asked her directly.
“My father is forcing my hand, as is yours,” Lady Christina began, a wry smile on her face that made his lips turn up slightly in response. “Therefore, I suggest that we move forward with our engagement and set a wedding date.”
Daniel was surprised at her sudden agreement, but nodded all the same. “Yes, it is rather inevitable. I am glad you agree.”
“It will save me from my detestable cousin and ensure that you can continue doing as you please,” Lady Christina said, as though they were conducting a business transaction. “I realize that you are still in love with another woman, despite the fact she is gone from us,” she continued softly. “I do not intend to compete with her, though I do ask that, perhaps, we can be friends with one another. I should not like to be completely alone.”
He frowned, wondering at this. “I will eventually remove to the country, and I have much with which to occupy my time.”
She gave a slight shrug. “I have lived in the country at my father’s estate for a long time, Lord Ravenhall. I find more than enough to do without growing desperate for his continuous company.”
He arched one eyebrow as he stared back at her, becoming aware of what she was saying. She did not need him to be happy and content, even though — to his surprise — he began to realize that he wouldn’t mind so much if she preferred to spend more time with him. Perhaps some company might be nice for a change.
“Very well,” he agreed, slowly, shocked that his heart was filled with a sudden, unexpected hope that, perhaps, this marriage would not be as difficult as he had once thought. “We shall, of course, have to consummate the marriage. My father is correct in stating that I will need to produce the heir.”
Lady Christina did not flinch nor look away, but her cheeks turned such a warm red that Daniel was almost inclined to laugh. His amusement died, however, as he realized just how lovely she appeared to be in that moment, even though her coloring was vastly different from that of Laura’s.
But you can barely remember what Laura looked like.
The small voice in his head threw guilt directly in his face, making him suck in a breath as Lady Christina cleared her throat quietly. This could not happen. He had to stop thinking of Lady Christina, had to stop remembering how he’d kissed her last evening and just how much he’d enjoyed it. He had to keep her close enough to ensure they were married, and then he would put as much distance between them as possible.
“Perhaps we should tell our parents the good news at this evening’s dinner,” he suggested after clearing his throat, and he gestured for Hudson to come back into the carriage. “The first banns can be called a week on Sunday.”
Lady Christina nodded, her hands tightening in her lap as she looked away from him. “Thank you, Lord Ravenhall. This marriage shall be good for both of us, I am sure.”
“I certainly hope so, Lady Christina,” Daniel murmured, as Hudson climbed back inside, a hopeful look on his face. “Well, Hudson, it appears as though I am to be a married man after all.”
“Then may I be the first to offer you my congratulations,” Lord Hudson exclaimed, clapping his hands as he beamed at them both. “Wonderful news.”
“Thank you, Lord Hudson,” Lady Christina murmured. “You are very kind.”
He chuckled, as Daniel’s gaze drifted out of the window. He no longer felt the tingle of jealousy, not when he knew now that Lady Christina was to be his.
“Not at all, Lady Christina,” Hudson continued, and Daniel reminded himself that charm was simply part of who Hudson was. “I just hope there is an engagement ball so that I might have my own opportunity to meet an eligible young lady! Perhaps matrimony is in my future after all.”
“Perhaps it is,” Daniel agreed, folding his arms across his chest and opening the carriage door to help Lady Christina down to return her home. “Who knows, Hudson? Mayhap it will sneak up on you, just as it has done on me.” Shooting a glance toward Lady Christina, he took note of her frown as she looked out the door, not turning her head back toward him. He remembered he must keep her happy. “But, then again, perhaps that is not altogether a bad thing.”
Lady Christina smiled.
10
Christina was not entirely sure who was happier about their marriage agreement — her father or Lord Ravenhall’s parents. While Christina questioned Lord Ravenhall’s motives, she now had no doubts that the Duke and Duchess of Ware simply wanted him to be happy — and to begin to produce heirs. The month between their announced betrothal and the wedding flew by. While Christina’s father had primarily been concerned about the engagement actually occurring, the Duchess of Ware was more than ple
ased to step in and help make all of the arrangements.
She accompanied Christina to a dress fitting, as did Lord Ravenhall’s youngest sister, Polly, who was as exuberant as she had been at the theatre. It was somewhat disconcerting to be measured and fitted next to a woman so beautifully shaped, but Polly was so busy describing how perfect Christina’s wedding would be that it didn’t seem she was paying any attention to Christina’s figure — that was, until she saw her in her dress.
“Oh, my,” she breathed, as she came to stand beside Christina, placing two hands on her arm as she continued to look at her reflection with her eyes open wide. “You are absolutely beautiful, Christina.”
Christina wasn’t sure about that, but she did know it was the most extravagant dress she had ever worn. The creamy bodice was lacy, the material extending to the puffed cap sleeves with their gathered trim. The belt that wrapped just under her bosom was a band of intricate braids, and flowing from it was a long, straight skirt inlaid with an embroidered floral pattern, which fanned out at the bottom of the dress and extended through the train behind her. Christina was already shaking her head before Polly finished speaking.
“I cannot wear this,” she said.
“Why ever not?” the Duchess of Ware asked, coming to stand with them.
“It is just so … extravagant,” she responded. “I’m not sure where I shall ever be able to wear it again following our wedding, as Lord Ravenhall seems very intent on returning to the country right away. It would be better to have a dress that I can wear for many different occasions.”
“Oh, come now,” Polly said, waving away her concern. “Are you forgetting that you are to be the wife of a marquess, and one day a duchess? You can spare the expense.”
“Yes, but—”
“It is already nearly finished and looks altogether perfect,” the Duchess said, smiling and bringing a hand to her arm. “There is nothing to be done now.”
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